1911 or XD for duty?

[pulicords]

........are solid, trustworthy weapons that nearly anyone can be tought to wield effectively. They are nearly "cop proof"; indestructable and operate in all conditions even when dirty. You do not need to be a "gun guy" to operate one pretty well.

Deja Vu! I remember hearing the same thing about S&W "K-frame" .38 Special revolvers 30+ years ago. The more things change, the more they stay the same! Then (as now) it was also a good "reason" (excuse) to cut back on training time and to go with the lowest bid for duty weapons.

[BCSD Frank]

Maybe that's what it is. After years of using the 1911, the XD is the best fit. The angle of the grip, the length, the narrower backstrap...

[KenW.]

The glock grip angle works for many, but not we who are accustomed o the 1911. Reminds me of a dustbuster.

[BCSD Frank]

Ken, I prefer the XD over the Glock, too. It's just the way the XD sits in my hand versus the Glock. I've got nothing against Glock. They are fine weapons. The XD just feels like an extension of my arm, though.

[KenW.]

Glocks are solid, trustworthy weapons that nearly anyone can be tought to wield effectively. They are nearly "cop proof"; indestructable and operate in all conditions even when dirty. You do not need to be a "gun guy" to operate one pretty well.

That being said... I strap on one of my 1911s every morning. Its not because of the plastic phobia; I stay qualed on an XD45 too. I just can't get comfortable firing a glock.

Oh, and I really like a thumb safety. To each his own.

[WillBrink]

The second is the "cheap cop" syndrome,

I wasn't gonna go there, but you did!

[KenW.]

Simple guns are for stupid, lazy people, and 1911's are for sophisticates who eagerly invest time into training.

There I said it.

Well; The lid is all the way of that can of worms... Not that I disagree...

[jwise]

Simple guns are for stupid, lazy people, and 1911's are for sophisticates who eagerly invest time into training.

There I said it.

[Surf]

Simple guns are for stupid, lazy people, and 1911's are for sophisticates who eagerly invest time into training.

There I said it.

[Blackdog F4i]

"More Training" probably does not conjure the correct mental impression.

More Dedication, would probably be a better concept.

If you neglect your skills or the machine, the 1911 will bite you in the ***. A Glock or XD will let you get away with it. 1911's can be more magazine and ammo sensitive than the polymer wonder pistols.

1911's also suffer from two serious problems. One is the "racegun" Syndrome. This is where the user feels the need to throw the entire Brownells catalog at the weapon without realizing that many of the "drop in" parts actually need to be hand fitted to the weapon. The second is the "cheap cop" syndrome, where a guy expects to drop $500 on a dead reliable 1911. It just ain't going to happen.

We are all fond of the concept that you MUST train with any weapon you are going to use to defend your life. Reality is that many guys won't. Training or competing usually kicks your ego in the balls (at least if you are pushing yourself). Alpha Males don't like that.

I carry a Colt Commander off duty. I lucked out because it's a dead reliable, accurate, box-stock gun.

If you want to carry a 1911, put in the range and dry fire time. Once you get to "autopilot" mode with it. Carry it.

DO NOT buy a cheap 1911 and drop it in the holster because it looks cool. If you want one of THOSE reality checks, go to a local IDPA or IPSC match and see how many 1911's you see choke.

Here is mine:

[KenW.]

I take issue with posts that claim the 1911 requires more training than other weapon systems.

It requires competance and skill; as do Glocks, Sigs, S&W, Springfield and all weapons. We should all be experts with our tools of the trade. Do we require less training for people that carry a Glock? I should hope NOT! In fact, a few years ago if you wanted to carry a Glock in my agency it required you to complete MORE training becuase there is no manually operated external safety device. That's back when we issued the HK P-7 M13.

I went through the academy with a 1911 and did not need anything extra the other cadets didn't accomplish. I think they're simpler to tell the truth.

[jwise]

When I qualified last, I shot my Glock 21 and my Les Baer. It was pretty funny. Being a new guy to the department, the range officer commented that it was a shame I was just a Reserve Deputy after scoring my Glock target.

Then I shot my LB! This time it was the guys around me who were shocked/amazed. I can't help it. The bullets just all go to the same place, like they are drawn by a magnet or something!

[BCSD Frank]

Good advice!

[jwise]

I would suggest you satisfy the boy in you, and buy a 1911! Keep carrying your XD, as you take the 1911 to the range and have a blast! Shoot it, shoot it, shoot it! Practice with it. Practice reloads. Practice drawing and firing. Practice first-round drills (switching the safety off and firing). Practice, practice, practice...



Once you become familiar with it, and can run it well, conduct a "challenge" with your XD. Get a buddy to run you through some drills with your XD, then do it again with the 1911. Hopefully you have access to a pact timer, or at least a buddy who can run a stopwatch decently.

Use the results of your 'test' to determine which pistol you should carry. (Hint: it is the one you shoot best with, the fastest!)

[Bounce]

For concealed carry, I have a Bersa .45 that's single stack. I love the way it sits in my hand. Marvelous weapon...

(Why is your SiL having such a hard time loading double-stack magazines?)

the follower and spring were danged hard to compress. i thought it was just techique until i gave it a try. 3 rounds later, i gave it back to him to "limber up". sheesh!